Chests Of Drawers

Chests of drawers of ample proportions were made in large numbers. They were of the three or four drawer description, in one piece, and were perfectly rectilinear in structure. Serpentine fronts and sprung fronts had entirely disappeared. Drawer edges were ordinarily cock beaded. The tops of these chests of drawers were sometimes fitted with writing accessories. Double chests of drawers or chests on chests were no longer used but were supplanted by the large wardrobes which had come into fashion.

Bureaux

The Empire period saw the beginning of the article of furniture we now call a bureau. The origin of the term is to be found in the fact that the chests of drawers, which afterwards were fitted with mirrors, were in the first place made with the top drawer fitted as a desk, or with pigeon holes and drawers with a front that pulled down supported by quadrants.

Secretaries

Secretaries in ponderous rectilinear form were made with drawers in the lower part, or doors, the upper deep drawer having a pull-down front intended to be used as a desk. The upper portion of such pieces of furniture was ordinarily a bookcase with glass traceried doors. This was the most popular piece of writing furniture during the period. Next to it in point of popularity came the library writing table. Secretaries were also made with falling fronts, such as that shown in Key XV, 4 and were really a reversion in type to one of the William and Mary secretary forms.

Sideboards

The Empire sideboard in England was an amplification, as far as size was concerned, of the final development of the Sheraton sideboard. It was practically the Sheraton sideboard carcase embellished with heavy turned pillars or pilasters, lion's or bear's claw feet instead of gracefully-turned supports, ponderous structures at the end where knife boxes had hitherto stood, and often the addition of a mirror in the back. The example shown in Key XV, 1, is a French piece and less ungraceful than some of the contemporary English creations.

Wardrobes

Heavy wardrobes became extremely popular at this time and were made sometimes with compartments at the sides, on the ends, and great doors in the middle. Some of the wardrobes of the period had compartments with drawers in them. The panelling and ornaments of these pieces were all heavy and ponderous.

Mirrors

Mirror frames of the Empire period echoed the motifs and contour of the other pieces of furniture. They were heavy and imposing. Convex girandoles, in circular frames, with sconces attached to the side, were much in favour. Other mirrors of rectangular shape had characteristic square paterae and acanthus ornaments at the corners and at intervals along the framing.

Materials

As stated before, the chief material for furniture making during the Empire period was a fine quality of mahogany. This mahogany was used both solid and in veneer. Other woods, such as ebony and rosewood, were sometimes used for special pieces, but the staple in all cases was mahogany unless the object was to be painted and gilt, in which case a baser wood was used. The upholstery in the Empire period was heavy in colour and pattern and suited the ponderous character of the framework it was intended to embellish.